Building science and subjectivity from flesh. Towards a reconceptualization of neurophenomenology as a contribution to interdisciplinary health research
Harald A. Wiltsche, Kristin Zeiler
Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy January 6, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-025-10319-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Subjectivity Philosophy of biology Philosophy of medicine Constitution Medical law Philosophy of science Phenomenology philosophy Epistemology Normative Relation database Engineering ethics Everyday life Qualitative research |
| Key points | Argues that Merleau-Ponty's notion of the flesh offers a viable concept of (co-)constitution for radical neurophenomenology, which should inform the understanding of neuroimaging and phenomenological analysis. |
Abstract
Radical neurophenomenology offers new ways to re-thinking subjectivity and objectivity, and the relation between them. More specifically, radical neurophenomenology crucially relies on the notion of constitution to circumvent the pitfalls that were associated with older, dualistic frameworks. Building on existing work, our paper has two primary goals. First, we will argue that Merleau-Ponty's later work provides a suitable framework for elaborating a viable concept of (co-)constitution. As we will discuss, it is especially Merleau-Ponty's notion of the flesh which allows for a better way to understand the concept of constitution. However, our paper extends beyond purely theoretical analysis and interpretation. Our second goal is to illustrate the pragmatic gain of our clarificatory efforts by discussing how a viable concept of constitution should affect and inform the understanding of modern neuroimaging techniques and a qualitative phenomenological philosophy analysis of subjectivity and lived experience, and how this contributes to neurophenomenological inquiries.
Comparable studies
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| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychosis as a state of aberrant salience: a framework linking biology, phenomenology, and pharmacology in schizophrenia. | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From dopamine to salience to psychosis--linking biology, pharmacology and phenomenology of psychosis. | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How do the brain's time and space mediate consciousness and its different dimensions? Temporo-spatial theory of consciousness (TTC). | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The phenomenology of deep brain stimulation-induced changes in OCD: an enactive affordance-based model. | 2013 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Looking for the Self: Phenomenology, Neurophysiology and Philosophical Significance of Drug-induced Ego Dissolution | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- Anticipating seizure: pre-reflective experience at the center of neuro-phenomenology. Consciousness and Cognition September 1, 2007
- "I can't tell whether it's my hand": a pilot study of the neurophenomenology of body representation during the rubber hand illusion in trauma-related disorders. European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2016
- Neurophenomenology of an Altered State of Consciousness: An fMRI Case Study. Explore 2016
- A neurophenomenological fMRI study of a spontaneous automatic writer and a hypnotic cohort. Brain and Cognition August 1, 2023
- Qualitative critical phenomenology Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences October 16, 2024
and 1 more in the library